Colonel David Tildesley: Brave war hero known for his cool courage
Colonel David Tildesley, who has died aged 101, was praised for his 'determination and cool courage' in the course of winning two Military Crosses during the Second World War.
But despite his heroism, Mr Tildesley rarely spoke about the conflict and bore no grudges towards Germany. After the war he even trained German soldiers how to ski.
Born in Wolverhampton on January 11, 1917, his father was the managing director of W H Tildesley, a family company manufacturing drop forgings.
He went to Wolverhampton Grammar School before going to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he read Law. He rowed for his college and was trialled for the university eight.
He joined the Army in September 1939 and was fast-tracked to the Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU). In March 1940, he was commissioned into the Royal Artillery and posted to 71st Field Regiment RA (71 FR).
Mr Tildesley's war was characterised by acts of bravery, and on several occasions he diced with death.
On September 9, 1943, his regiment was attached to 'B' Company 6th Bn The Lincolnshire Regiment, in south-west Italy.
Occupying a hill that formed part of the defensive perimeter, he set up his observation post (OP) on top of a ridge, and for the next 10 days he and his comrades came under relentless mortar and shell fire.
On September 23 he took part in a night advance to Santa Croce, where they were to form up and attack a dominating feature.
On the way, they were ambushed, with Mr Tildesley later recalling that they made a dash for a wooded area while under heavy German fire.
He and his second-in-command rallied their small force of 14 survivors and launched an attack in broad daylight with no artillery support.
